Education
- Ph.D., English, Michigan State University, 1995
- M.A., English, Michigan State University, 1991
- B.A., English, Michigan State University, 1989
Presentations
- "Disabling the Master’s Tools: Advocating Language Rights in the Composition Classroom." Conference on College Composition and Composition, San Francisco, March 2009.
- "Reality Check: Toward a Pedagogy of Ebonics for Composition Classrooms", Conference on College Composition and Composition, New Orleans, April 2008.
- "My Space vs. Your Place in Toni Morrison’s Sula” at the Fifth Biennial Conference of the Toni Morrison Society, Charleston, SC, July 2008.
- "It’s for the Birds” (my poem on the Vietnam War) won honorable mention in the Rambunctious Review Magazine 2007-08 contest.
- "Re-presenting Pedagogy for Ebonics: Valuing African American Student Identity in the Composition Classroom." The Conference on College Composition and Communication, New York, March 21, 2007.
- "African American Poetry, Fiction, and Drama: Selected Pulitzer Prize Winners”, 33rd Annual Third World Conference Chicago, IL, March 29-31 2007.
- "An Intersection of Theory and Practice: Accepting the Language a Child Brings into the Classroom” and “Challenging Poetry’s Neglect: Learning from Poetry Lovers”,
- "Race, Space and Place: Language, Identity and Students of Color in the Composition Classroom” The Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, Mar 22, 2006.
- "Slavery, Liberty, and Self-Determination: A Poetic Reflection of African American Life.” 32nd Annual Third World Conference Chicago, IL, March 2006.
- "Language Diversity in the Composition Classroom”, Conference on College Composition and Communication, San Francisco, CA March 16-19, 2005.
- "Strength and Significance: A Historical Reflection of African American Poetry African American Poetry.” Presented at 30th Annual Third World Conference Chicago, Illinois.
March 5, 2004. - "Language Diversity in Teacher Education and in the Classroom” (co-authored with Arnetha Ball, Stanford University) in Language Diversity in the Classroom: from Intention to Practice. Geneva Smitherman and Victor Villanueva, editors. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2003.
- "Spiritual Strivings: Using Selected Works of Du Bois and Hughes to Guide Non-Traditional Students in the Construction of Autobiographical Narratives”, Conference on College Composition and Communication. New York. March 2003.
- "Revisiting Selected Political and Autobiographical Writings of W.E.B. DuBois and Langston Hughes. 29th Third World Conference. Chicago March 2003.
- "Survivor’s Medicine:’ Exploring Identity Narratives in Native American Literature”, National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention. Atlanta, Georgia, November 2002
- "Survivor’s Medicine:’ Exploring Identity Narratives in Native American Literature”, presented with E. Donald Two-Rivers (recipient of the 1998 American Book Award), 28th Annual Third World Conference. Chicago, Illinois. March 2002
- "Exploring African Roots in African American English” 28th Annual Third World Conference. Chicago, Illinois. March 2002
- "My Kunta Kinte: Exploring Our African Linguistic Heritage Through the Poetry of Sonia Sanchez.” African Forum. Black History Month. Governors State University. February 2002.
- "The Moon is Not a Star” and “Seeing Blind” in The Pond Governors State University Publication. Fall 2000.
- "Zero Tolerance in the English Language Arts Classroom” 26th Annual Third World Conference Theme: Third World and Global Development: Continuing the Search for a New Paradigm. Chicago, Illinois. March, 2000
- "I be is not acceptable: Zero Tolerance in the English Language”Conference on College Composition and Communication, Minneapolis, Minnesota. April 2000.
- Read & Rap: Teaching Literature for the Young Adult Reader. Study Guide for the Telecourse filmed in the studios of Governors State University, c/o1999, revised 2000, 2004, 2008.
- "Homework Helpers: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children with Homework” Workshop Presented at the Annual Islamic Convention Midwest Region, Harvey, Illinois. September 1999.
- "Just Look: What Do I do with this paper? Supporting the Written Texts of Native American Latino, and African American Students.” National Council of Teachers of English Conference. Denver, Colorado. November 1999.
- "Gettin Funky: Teaching the Language of Soul” Conference on College Composition and Communication, Atlanta, Georgia. April 1999.
- "African American English and Composition: Implications for College Writers” National Council of Teachers of English Convention. Nashville, Tennessee. November 1998.
- "Reading, Writing, and Responding to African American Literature” Conference on College Composition and Communication, Chicago, Illinois April 1998.
- "Ebonics” The 24th Annual Third World Conference. Visioning the 21st Century: Globalization, Transformation, and Opportunity. Chicago, Illinois. March 1998.
- "Sharing Ideologies: Preparing Teachers to Teach Students of Color” National Council of Teachers of English Conference. Detroit, Michigan. November 1997.
- "Foreword”, Teachers' Reading/Teachers' Lives, by Mary Kay Rummel and Elizabeth P. Quintero. New York: State University of New York Press. October 1997.
- "Exploding Myths about Ebonics: Teaching Acceptance and Self-Respect” Michigan College English Association Conference, East Lansing, Michigan September 1997.
- "Report from the Principal's Corner." Monthly Column. Harvey Islamic Center Newsletter. Harvey, Illinois (1996-1997).
- "Writing, Reading, and Responsibility: In(side) and Out(side) of Difference." Conference on College Composition and Communication. Phoenix, Arizona. March 1997.
- "Official English: Its Impact on Multicultural Education in the 21st Century” The 23rd Annual Third World Conference, Chicago Illinois March 1997.
- "Privileging the Other: African American Literature” The 23rd Annual Third World Conference, Chicago, Illinois March 1997.
- "Critical Pedagogy Wrapped in Love” English Faculty Forum, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan February 1997.
- "Should issues of race, gender, and multiculturalism matter in the university?" College of Arts and Sciences Annual College-Wide Meeting, Governors State University, November 1, 1996.
- "Privileging the "Other': African American Literature." Michigan College English Association Conference. East Lansing, Michigan. October 1996.
- "Official English: The Push and the Controversy” 22nd Annual Third World Conference. Chicago, Illinois. March 1996.
- "Bridging the Middle Passage: African and African American Literature." Panel Chair. 22nd Annual Third World Conference. Chicago, Illinois. March 1996
- "Power and Oppression: Black Students Challenge African American Literature." Spring Conference on Language Arts sponsored by Michigan Council of Teachers of English and the Michigan State University Department of English. East Lansing, Michigan. March 1996.
- "Teachers Devise Curricula Based on Students' Responses to African American Literature", The JCT Conference on Curriculum Theory and Classroom Practice. The DuBose Conference Center Monteagle, Tennessee, October 1995.
- "Value and Authenticity: Young Adult Readers Respond to African American Literature", Seminar Chair and Presenter at L. Ramon Veal Seminar on Research in Language. National Council of Teachers of English Spring Conference Minneapolis, Minnesota. March 1995.
- "Multicultural Issues and Perspectives--Providing a Framework for the Teaching of Literature to Children." National Council of Teachers of English Spring Conference. Portland, Oregon. March 1994 (Invited Presenter).
- "Exploding Barriers: Creating Space for a Liberatory English Curriculum within Existing Social Structures and Institutions." Seminar Facilitator and Presenter. L. Ramon Veal Seminar on Research in Language. National Council of Teachers of English Spring Conference, Portland, Oregon, March 1994.
- "It’s Mostly After I read a book that I write” (Mario’s Story). In Childrens’ Voices: Children Talk About Literacy. Ed. By Sally Hudson-Ross, Linda Miller Cleary, and Mara Casey. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. 1993.
Research
- American and African American Literature
- Student-Centered Education in Secondary Classrooms
- English Education
- African American English
- Cultural Studies
- Ethnographic Poetry
Service
National Committees- Language Policy Commission of Conference on College Composition
- Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English
Governors State University Committees- College of Arts and Science (CAS) Committees
- Academic Program Coordinators Committee, Division of Liberal Arts
- Committee on Secondary Education
- Search Committee: Biology and Environmental Sciences Professor
- Search Committee: American Literature and Composition
- Search Committee: English and Secondary Education
- Search Committee: Chemistry and Secondary Education
- Search Committee: Political and Justice Studies Professor
- Search Committee: Dean of the Center for Extended Learning and Communication Services
- African American Staff Caucus (President 1998--2000)
- Search Committee: Curriculum Specialist Upward Bound Program
- Search Committee: Professor of Chemistry and Science Education
- Response to Church-Burnings: A Teach-In on Racism
- Committee for Diversity and Sense of Community
- GSU Special Events Committee
- Search Committee: Director of Writing Across the Curriculum
- University Curriculum Committee (Chair 1999-2007)
Professional Memberships
- American Federation of Teachers
- Conference on College Composition and Communication
- CCCC Language Policy Committee
- International Reading Association
- National Council of Teachers of English
- Phi Beta Delta: Honor Society for International Scholars
- Advisory Board of Trustees, The Jihad Bashir Educational Support Foundation, Chicago IL
- The Mosque Cares Educational Foundation, Chicago, IL
|
